The Fabulous Life of Stefanie

It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since this little human came into our lives. Two weeks early and at first the calmest little baby that ever did live....now we have a walking, talking, screeching, eating machine! Oh what a difference a year makes! Although it is tomorrow, Mama has to run 22 miles and then get your birthday party together, so here is Annabel at one (minus one day)! At one year Annie is: Walking Laughing (this forced deep laugh that cracks us all up) Saying 'Dada', 'kitty' and 'Mama' (finally! this JUST started!) Sleeping about 11 hours a night in her own space (we stopped cosleeping about three weeks ago when it stopped being the best way for everyone to get a good night's sleep) Nursing and eating at least three meals and two snacks a day (tank baby!) Around 20 pounds and still pretty short (compared to me and sister) Her favorites: People: big sister (who gets the biggest smiles and most attention), her nanny He...

AUGUST! Here we are half way through August and my tan is just now getting good, so here is hoping for a September that still has beach days because I am really not ready to let this summer go yet. I am now fully aware that we New Englanders make up for the horrific winters by jamming a million things into the summer months and I am officially ok with it, though my husband may say differently. Last weekend, for example, our Sunday afternoon opened up and so we drove up to York, Maine to eat at the Goldenrod, go to the zoo and enjoy one of the most beautiful drives along the water. It was awesome and as we sat in traffic on the way home I couldn't believe that we had spent the morning at Maddie's swim class but then crossed three states and pet baby goats. I love you, New England, even if I do say otherwise in the middle of February. Kiddo is wearing zebra leggings too, if you can't tell. GOATS! She was so sweet with them and I really wanted to take one home. ...

I have to say, last week was the hardest I have had yet as a working mom of two who also trains for half marathons and likes to hang out with her friends. I am well aware that I have a lot on my plate, but last week finally came crashing around me and I spent a couple of afternoons in tears and Friday morning on the train trying to act like I had allergies when really I was just a weepy mess. For all of the wonderful that Maddie is, she can be very, very ( veryveryvery ) challenging, as most three and a half year olds are, and for some reason it took last week to push me a little over the edge. Needless to say, when Friday afternoon finally rolled around I was thrilled to have the week behind me and SO excited that we had a dear friend offer to watch BOTH girls that night so Matt and I could go out on a date. Like, without one or both kids. It was amazing! In order to get some peace and quiet that we are not used to when with the girls, we decided to go see Jurassic World in 3D IMA...

My little peanut turned 12 weeks old today and I really do not know how time can go so fast because I am pretty sure we just brought her home from the hospital. This baby is so sweet and gentle. She smiles from the time she wakes up until fifteen minutes later when she needs her first nap; did I mention she loves to sleep? She has just discovered her hands and spends many an hour trying to examine one and fit it into her mouth while the other kind of bounces around like a little boxer's fist. Her hair is so long and light and her eyes the most beautiful light blue with the deepest blue rim. She has at least four thigh rolls now with the most delicious chubby belly to match. Her big sister still absolutely adores her and has been showing us what an amazing team player she is by reading to Annabel and putting on puppet shows with her stuffed animals. She always wants to include "our baby" in plans and makes sure she knows where Annabel is as soon as she is up and...